---
title: "Zelenskyy says Palisa declined appointment as Ukraine's ambassador to US"
description: "Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa refused the post of Ukraine's ambassador to the US, demanding to return to the frontline, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said."
date: 2026-10-28T07:52:10.512Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-says-palisa-declined-ambassador-post
tags: [zelenskyy, palisa, usa, diplomacy, ukraine, politics]
author: "Alexander Buran, Marina Slivenko"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelenskyy says Palisa declined appointment as Ukraine's ambassador to US

![President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa shaking hands in an office](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/28/zelenskiy-rasskazal-ob-otkaze-palisy-stat-poslom/zelenskiy-rasskazal-ob-otkaze-palisy-stat-poslom-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Pavlo Palisa declined the post of Ukraine's ambassador to the US
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy also considered Yulia Svyrydenko and Dmytro Kuleba
- Palisa explained his decision by wanting to return to the frontline brigade
- Consultations on appointing a new ambassador to the US are ongoing

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Deputy Head of the Office of the President Pavlo Palisa turned down an offer to assume the position of Ukraine's ambassador to the United States. During a communication with journalists, the head of state noted that Palisa's candidacy was considered alongside other political figures, but he chose to continue his military service in Ukraine.

### Search for a new head of the diplomatic mission

The issue of appointing a new Ukrainian ambassador to the US remains open after the president dismissed Olha Stefanishyna from the post in early August. During consultations, the authorities considered several prominent figures, including former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Simultaneously, the leadership's attention was drawn to Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa, whose professional background and personal contacts matched the specifics of the American track.

### Arguments in favor of Palisa's candidacy

Commenting on the choice in favor of Palisa, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized his specialized American education and fluent language skills. According to the president, working in Washington requires deep immersion in military issues, and Donald Trump personally knows Palisa. However, despite the potential candidate's strong standing, the deputy head of the Presidential Office flatly rejected the possibility of a diplomatic assignment abroad.

### Refusing the position in favor of the frontline

Pavlo Palisa responded to the president's proposal by demanding to be returned to the frontline. As the head of state conveyed the official's words, he stated his unwillingness to leave the country and asked to be urgently sent back to his brigade. In the current situation, Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that consultations regarding filling the vacant post of Ukraine's ambassador to the United States will continue.

### Significance of the personnel choice and next steps

The situation surrounding the search for a diplomatic representative in Washington demonstrates the strict priorities of Ukrainian personnel amid the ongoing armed conflict. Palisa's selection emphasized the authorities' desire to strengthen the military component of bilateral dialogue with the US against the backdrop of shifting political elites in Washington. Further developments depend on whom the Presidential Office chooses from the remaining list or new candidates to work in one of the key foreign directions.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Палиса был бы хорошим послом в США, но он не хочет, - Зеленский](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/palisa-buv-bi-horoshim-poslom-ssha-ale-vin-1793173281.html) - Primary report by RBC-Ukraine regarding Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement.
- [Палиса отказался от должности посла в США – Зеленский](https://ru.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1227135.html) - Interfax-Ukraine confirms the president's words about Palisa's refusal and discussion of other candidates.
- [Зеленский: Павел Палиса отказался от должности посла США](https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/rus/news/2026/10/28/7248741/) - European Pravda quotes the president and notes Palisa's military status.
- [Зеленский рассматривал кандидатуру Палисы на должность посла в США, но тот отказался](https://zn.ua/POLITICS/zelenskij-rassmatrival-kandidaturu-palisy-na-dolzhnost-posla-v-ssha-no-tot-otkazalsja.html) - ZN.UA reports on the consideration of Palisa's candidacy and his refusal.

## FAQ

### Who offered Pavlo Palisa the position of Ukraine's ambassador to the US?

The proposal came from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

### Why was Palisa's candidacy considered for work in the US?

He has an American education, language skills, military experience, and is known to Donald Trump.

### How did Pavlo Palisa react to the proposal?

He refused to go abroad and demanded to be urgently returned to the frontline brigade.